4-H runs deep in his family. His father was an Extension Agent in Oregon, and his mother was his club’s 4-H leader. Both of his parents also participated in 4-H and FFA.
Dan grew up on a livestock and irrigated alfalfa farm near Pendleton, OR, where he raised polled Hereford cattle, Suffolk sheep, Quarter Horses and border collie dogs. He bought and sold market hogs. He also participated in junior and high school rodeo, competing in calf roping and team roping.
Dan was in 4-H for 8 years. His projects included: beef cattle, sheep, hogs, dogs, and leadership. He competed on the state winning livestock judging team. He served on the Delegates Council for 4-H Summer Week. He was a State 4-H Ambassador. But his biggest accomplishment was going to Chicago for 4-H Congress in meat animal science.
Dan was also involved with FFA all 4 years of high school, participating in public speaking, leadership, parliamentary procedure, agri-business and beef cattle. He served as chapter and district officers. He won proficiency awards with his cattle as well as agribusiness. He received his State FFA Degree and was nominated as Star Agribusinessman of Oregon by the State FFA Officers. He also went to Belgium for 6 months on the FFA exchange program called Work Experience Abroad, where he worked on a cattle and wheat farm.
After high school, Dan attended Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, OR before transferring to the University of Idaho, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Sciences, focusing on Animal Science, Plant Science, Soil Science and Agricultural Education. While in college he competed in livestock judging for BMCC and Washington State University, as well as college rodeo at BMCC and University of Idaho.
After college, Dan worked as a 4-H Program Assistant in Latah County, Idaho and Lane County, Oregon. Most recently, he worked as the 4-H Program Coordinator for Island County. He also worked for a Conservation District in Oregon, Idaho and Washington State Departments of Agriculture, and Klickitat and Skagit Counties helping landowners install and implement Best Management Practices to protect natural resources.
Dan served as a Resource Leader for Klickitat County 4-H for livestock judging and has been on the Oregon State University’s Livestock Judges List since 1994, where he has judged beef cattle, sheep, hogs, meat goats and dairy cattle in Oregon and Washington.